The Green Sheet Online Edition

November 28, 2016 • Issue 16:11:02

Expand your time

By Steven Feldshuh
Merchants' Choice Solution East

As we all know, one of the most precious commodities we don't have enough of is time. How we treat the time we have will make a difference in our well-being, relationships and income level, and one of our prime goals should be to live life to the fullest while continually improving the person we are.

I am not approaching this article from a psychologist's point of view, but rather from the view of an individual I greatly respect who recently gave an amazing sermon on the subject. His name is Rabbi Beni Silverman, and I had the pleasure of hearing him speak on this topic in October. He believes in present-day lessons, and I have found that his use of humor makes him very relatable.

Initially, when Silverman broached the concept of expanding your time, it seemed overwhelming to me. Like most of us, I commute to work, work a full workday, typically take work home and try to hit the sack at 11 p.m. I wake up and strive to get in a half-hour workout each morning and then start the routine over again. So I wondered how I could possibly squeeze in more when all the available hours seem to be filled already.

However, as I listened, I started to understand and appreciate the message. While no one can literally add hours to a day, we all have time that we don't use or don't use properly. And if we take an honest look at how we're spending our time, each of us will see that we all can handle more. By making this statement, I am not saying one should stay longer at work just to try and write an extra deal. Hopefully, in the next few paragraphs, what I am trying to convey will come across in a relatable, understandable way.

Do more to live more fully

Simply put, getting more out of life by doing more in the time you are given will improve your life. The more you do, the more you will feel better about yourself and your accomplishments. Silverman told his listeners that it is critical for us to explore our passions and contribute to the daily lives of others. He suggested we learn new skills, develop hobbies or become members of organizations that interest us.

All these actions, I realized, would make me feel better about myself, which would project into my work and work habits. And the truth is we all have time to do much more, and we all have the ability to manage it.

Isn't it likely that if you learn new skills and meet interesting people, doors will open to you that you might not have even noticed previously? Sounds good, doesn't it? To get started, ask yourself questions like these:

Should I be sitting in front of the television watching the Walking Dead, or should I, for the fun of it, learn some new computer skills?

What if I volunteered at an animal shelter one night a week?

Should I be playing a game on my smartphone or should I be reading a great novel?

Should I stew tonight about a deal that fell through today or attend a meeting of a local organization that interests me?

When I began asking myself these types of questions, I started to see that expanding my time in this manner might also create a real positive feeling, one I knew I'd been missing out on. Do you think if you are more positive and feel good about yourself that it just might help you do better with other things?

Give more to get more

In his talk, the rabbi explained that when he first began to understand and appreciate time, he had one child and was beginning to develop a private school program and an adult center for learning. He recounted how he never had a moment for himself. It took him a while to realize he could do a lot more. Then, through his life's work, through all the people he met on his journey, and through all the programs he implemented, he found that he was continually able to expand his time.

This may sound unbelievable to most of us. Silverman is now the father of 10 children, he administers multiple programs, and runs a sizable private school for children, an adult learning center and his own websites. He is involved with hundreds of people on a weekly basis.

An audience member asked him how he manages, and he stated that because of all the programs, people and ideas he has become involved in, his life, and his family's life, have all improved. He lives better not only because his life is fuller, but also because his finances have improved as well.

His immediate network has grown, his contributions to society have grown, and he has been able to expand his time.

The feeling of accomplishing more each day in one's life, for most of us, gives us a natural high. A side benefit is the more we do, the less we complain, because our lives become richer, and we are less bored with our daily routine.

So how do we start expanding our time and getting more into the time we have? I heard several recommendations including, "Just get off your ass." It may be easier to tell yourself, "You know the program you have always wanted to sign up for? Well, go for it." It makes no difference what you decide to move ahead with. We are all different, but ultimately we all want to be worth more to our friends, family and those we work with.

So, to borrow Nike's tag line: Just do it!

Steven Feldshuh, President of Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions East, has 18 years' experience in sales and ISO development. Directly prior to joining MCPSE in 2012, he was President of Payment Partners. In his current position, Steven devotes the bulk of his time to assisting agents in building their portfolios. Contact him by email at stevenf@mcpseast.com or by phone at 212-392-9202.

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